"We thought he was the most instinctive and productive linebacker in the draft," Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said. "He's going to fit in excellent with our 3-4 defense and how we're going to play our linebackers."

Te'o's draft stock plummeted after a poor performance in the Bowl Championship Series national title game against Alabama and the revelation that his much-publicized dead girlfriend was fake. It also didn't help that Te'o ran slower than expected at the NFL scouting combine in February.

Te'o makes sense for the Chargers, who needed an inside linebacker to replace veteran Takeo Spikes, who was released in March. Te'o is expected to play alongside Donald Butler.

"We thought, on our defense, we were missing that other inside linebacker. Te'o can step in," Telesco said.

One thing that has been remarkably steady in a season full of surprises has been the performance of Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, center, taking aim at a Wake Forest ballcarrier Saturday.
Matt Cashore, US Presswire

If the USA TODAY Sports Media Group survey is any indicator, Notre Dame senior Manti Te'o at the very least will have the highest Heisman
Trophy finish ever by a linebacker.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o waits for the snap during the second half of Notre Dame's 21-6 win over Boston College in a NCAA college football game in Boston Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012.
Winslow Townson AP

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o leaves the field after his final game at Notre Dame Stadium, a 38-0 win against Wake Forest that helped propel the Irish to the No. 1 ranking for the first time in 19 years.
Matt Cashore, US Presswire